PDA

View Full Version : BUF file editor BETA testers wanted



barocca
11-23-2002, 02:39
OK Guys,
grab your liquid supplement (mine's coffee with a dash of bourbon),
grab your solid supplement, (mine's choclate - naturally),
we have some beta version bug testing to do

RSW, that genius of the TotalWar community has built a BUF file edior,
but RSW has a real life and while he tested it against a dozen or so BUF files, he needs us to test it against all of them,

each BUF file appears to be unique in Format http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
some sort of check code at the end of each file,

rather than have to write an editor for each and every file this editor requires a little bit of input from the user,
the BUF editor will display a four digit code for each BUF file you open, this number needs to be recorded, and then entered back into the program before you save the file.

MAYBE we can make our own BUF files, but that is unclear at this stage,
THAT is what we need to Test Also.

From RSW

Quote[/b] ]
There is only one difference between BUF and BIF. BUF has some extra data on the end of the file. At so far, I found it's a four bytes data (an integer in programming), maybe it's a number of the image used in the game or something like that.

Therefore, you need to write down the number (four bytes data or more) in the BUF first. After you edit or make a new one BIF, you need to write back the number to change it to BUF. Maybe every buf file has a specific number for its own usage.

The old 'readbif21' will encounter some paroblems when it read the unnecessary data in buf files. I just make a small change to make the old one feel fine to read the buf files and I add a simple function to view or write back the number. Maybe you can use it to make your own BUF files. But I can't make sure what I have found (or guessed) was correct. You need to do some testings on your own. Any bug report about the program is welcome.


Can we make Original BUF files?
heres the file,
ReadBUF_Beta Version (http://www.totalwar.org/barocca/readBUF_beta.zip)
now get to work...
...damn no smiley whipping the slaves...
MITHRANDIR, get your image editing skills down here http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

this thread has been duplicated in EH and the Dungeon
deliberately

Lord Krazy
11-23-2002, 03:37
I'll be happy to test it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
whats it do http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

LK http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

barocca
11-23-2002, 03:58
for 2 whole seconds i was stunned...
- what DOES a BUF file editor do?
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

fenir
11-23-2002, 07:52
Happy to test, whats it do?

whats a Buf file?

fenir http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

PatrickNeil
11-23-2002, 08:03
DUDE Much abliged Halt the presses, this is what I've needed for the last two weeks RSW, your a good man.

Patrick

PatrickNeil
11-23-2002, 08:43
Hmmm, I did test it, and it does open all the BUF files that BIF editor couldn't open, but it can't save BUF files, which is a real handycap. I tried changing .bif to *.* (all files) and overwriting the BUF file, which is what I've done before when I tried, and that didn't show up in the game.

Patrick

barocca
11-23-2002, 10:01
similar problems here,
you did enter extra info?

bug report sent
:-)

Lord Krazy
11-23-2002, 14:07
Put the extention .buf and see what happens.
if you put .bif on the .buf, the bif reader
will read the buf if u know what I mean http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
It might work in reverse.
I still don't know what they do.
I'm watching football so can't test it right now.
I think it will work.

LK http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

barocca
11-23-2002, 15:23
LK,

i open campmap\pieces\Agents\assassin_acting.Buf
i view the extra info, 5583, 4 bytes first integer 69

i change the colour of his sword to match his Olive Green trousers,
i tried setting extra info at 69 and saved overwriting the original assassin_acting.Buf,
(i made a backup copy first)
i had to enable view all files to do this, the program reads from buf, but will not save to buf unless i enable all files

new campaign, late period, byzantine and build assissin first turn,
second turn assign assassin to assassination mission,
assassin vanishes from strategic map,

next i tried edit assassin and set extra info at 5583,
then saved
same result - assassin vanishes.

next i tried both methods saving as bif, renaming to buf and then adding the extra info,
again no joy,

Am i editng correctly?

wether i enter the integer (69) or the 4 digit code (5583) i lose sight of assassin.

Lord Krazy
11-23-2002, 20:42
I'v tried various things still don't work.
I think I'm missing something http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
a few hours sleep maybe http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

LK http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

PatrickNeil
11-24-2002, 02:03
That's the same thing that happens if the file doesn't exist at all. When you go to the agents window (the one with the dagger), and select that agent, you can see a ring around the invisable agent. Do tell when there's another version, and I'll do anything I can.

Patrick

barocca
11-24-2002, 02:27
new version - new thread
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif